Richard Franka

Over my career I have published four book chapters and 76 peer-reviewed articles.

Below is brief highlight of my top 10 most impactful publications:

1. Use of a Reduced (4-Dose) Vaccine Schedule for Post-exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Human Rabies.
Rupprecht CE, Briggs D, Brown CM, Franka R, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep., 2010.

• Influenced national and global policy by reducing rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) from 5 to 4 doses, improving vaccine accessibility and compliance.

2. Development of a Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Cocktail for Post-Exposure Rabies Prophylaxis in Humans.
Müller T, Dietzschold B, Ertl H, Fooks AR, Franka R, et al. PLoS  Negl Trop Dis., 2009.

• Pioneered research leading to a monoclonal antibody-based alternative to rabies immunoglobulin, transforming rabies treatment protocols.

3. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication – Pakistan, January 2022 – June 2023.
Franka R, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep., 2023.

• Provided critical epidemiological insights into polio eradication efforts in Pakistan, highlighting vaccine campaign strategies and surveillance impact as well as gaps and solutions.

4. Assessing  Country Compliance with Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 Outbreak Response SOPs (2016–2020).
Darwar R, Biya O, Greene SA, Jorba J, Al Safadi M, Franka R, et al. Vaccine, 2023.

• Evaluated global polio outbreak response compliance, informing policy and risk mitigation strategies for vaccine-derived poliovirus.

5. Modeling  Poliovirus Transmission in Borno and Yobe, Northeast Nigeria.
Kalkowska DA, Franka R, Higgins J, Kovacs SD, et al. Risk Anal.,  2021.

• Applied epidemiologic modeling to assess wild poliovirus transmission risks and optimize vaccination strategies in conflict-affected areas.

6. A  Broad-Spectrum and Highly Potent Human Monoclonal Antibody Cocktail for Rabies Prophylaxis.
Kim PK, Ahn JS, Keum SJ, Lee SY, Franka R, et al. PLoS One, 2021.

• Contributed to the development of next-generation monoclonal antibodies for enhanced rabies treatment efficacy.

7. Inactivated  Rabies Virus-Based Ebola Vaccine: Heat-Stable and Immunogenic Against Ebola and Rabies.
Kurup D, Fisher CR, Smith TG, Gallardo-Romero N, Franka R, et al. J  Infect Dis., 2019.

• Developed a dual-purpose vaccine against Ebola and rabies, advancing pandemic preparedness and immunization research.

8. Current  and Future Tools for Global Canine Rabies Elimination.
Franka R, Smith TG, Dyer JL, Wu X, Niezgoda M, Rupprecht CE. Antiviral Research, 2013.

• Reviewed global strategies for canine rabies control, highlighting vaccination, surveillance, and public health interventions.

9. Raccoon Rabies Virus Variant Transmission Through Solid Organ Transplantation.
Vora NM, Basavaraju SV, Feldman KA, Paddock CD, Orciari L, Franka R, et  al. JAMA, 2013.

• Identified rabies transmission through organ transplantation, leading to enhanced donor screening protocols and public health policies.

10. Safety, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy of ERA-G333 Recombinant Rabies Virus Vaccine in Bats.
Gilbert AT, Wu X, Jackson FR, Franka R, et al. J Wild Dis., 2020.

• Evaluated novel wildlife rabies vaccines, contributing to zoonotic disease surveillance and control efforts.

• CDC/ATSDR Honor Award for Excellence in Surveillance and Health Monitoring – International, 2023, For collaboration to assess immunity to vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria that guided program improvements
• CGH Unsung Hero Award (for Administrative, Professional, or Team Lead), 2020
• 2019 CDC Public Health in Action Photo Contest 1st place winner in the category of International People, 2020
• CDC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) full member, 2016
• NCEZID 2015 award for exemplary leadership in rabies prevention efforts in Haiti
• CDC 2014 nomination for Shepard award for outstanding scientific investigation and article in JAMA: “Raccoon rabies virus variant transmission through solid organ transplantation.”
• NCEZID 2014 Nakano citation for outstanding scientific article in JAMA: “Raccoon rabies virus variant transmission through solid organ transplantation.”
• National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Director’s Recognition Award for excellence in cross division collaboration to investigate and provide evidence-based response to an unusual case of rabies associated with organ transplantation, 2013
• National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Honor Award for exemplary commitment to protecting public health through the use of oral rabies vaccination to control raccoon rabies, 2013
• Member of Rabies Vaccine/Immune Globulin Emergency (RaVaGES), Expert Advisory Committee for Task Force for Global Health, 2013
• OIE Designated subject matter expert for rabies, 2013
• CDC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) alternative member, 2013-2016
• Member of the International Encephalitis Consortium, 2012
• Member of CDC working group on Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2012
• Member of the Advisory Group on Use of Recombinant Human Adenovirus as an Oral Vaccine for Wildlife in the United States, 2011
• Member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Human Rabies Vaccine Working Group, 2009
• American Society for Microbiology and National Center for Infectious Diseases (ASM/NCID) post-doctoral fellowship, 2002-2003
• French government fellowship, 2001, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
• Summa cum laude, 1999, University of Veterinary Medicine, Kosice

• Supervised team of 6 HQ staff members in Atlanta and approximately 300 contractors in Pakistan.
• Managed an annual budget of approximately $14 million for polio eradication and routine immunization in Pakistan.
• Achieved 2% decrease in the number of missed children polio campaigns in 30 union councils (UC) Pakistan by introducing adopt the UC initiative.

Admired Leadership

- CDC/ATSDR Honor Award for Excellence in Surveillance and Health Monitoring – International for collaboration to assess immunity to vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria that guided program improvements - 2023

- CGH Unsung Hero Award (for Administrative, Professional, or Team Lead) - 2020

- 2019 CDC Public Health in Action Photo Contest 1st place winner in the category of International People - 2020

- CDC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) full member – since 2016

- NCEZID 2015 award for exemplary leadershipin rabies prevention efforts in Haiti

- CDC 2014 nomination for Shepard award for outstanding scientific investigation and article in JAMA: “Raccoon rabies virus variant transmission through solid organ transplantation.”

- NCEZID 2014 Nakano citation for outstanding scientific article in JAMA: “Raccoon rabies virus variant transmission through solid organ transplantation.”

- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Director’s Recognition Award for excellence in cross division collaboration to investigate and provide evidence-based response to an unusual case of rabies associated with organ transplantation - 2013

- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Honor Award for exemplary commitment to protecting public health through the use of oral rabies vaccination to control raccoon rabies – 2013

- Member of Rabies Vaccine/Immune Globulin Emergency (RaVaGES), Expert Advisory Committee for Task Force for Global Health - 2013

- OIE Designated subject matter expertfor rabies - 2013

- CDC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) alternative member – 2013-2016

- Member of the International Encephalitis Consortium – 2012

- Member of CDC working group on Neglected Tropical Diseases - 2012

- Member of the Advisory Group on Use of Recombinant Human Adenovirus as an Oral Vaccine for Wildlife in the United States - 2011

- Member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Human Rabies Vaccine

Working Group – 2009

- American Society for Microbiology and National Center for Infectious Diseases (ASM/NCID) post-doctoral fellowship- US CDC 2002-2003

- French government fellowship- Institute Pasteur, Paris, France - 2001

- Summa cum laude, University of Veterinary Medicine, Kosice - 1999

Accomplished senior public health executive with over 20 years of experience leading complex infectious disease control and eradication initiatives across Africa and Asia. Proven expertise in strategic program leadership, operational supervision, and global partner engagement with WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Gates Foundation, and national ministries of health. Successfully directed polio eradication programs in Nigeria and Pakistan, contributing to the wild poliovirus-free certification of Africa and major risk reduction in Pakistan's highest-priority areas.

Extensive experience in rabies control and prevention across diverse African and Asian countries, including national program development, outbreak investigation, intersectoral coordination, and community-based education and vaccination campaigns.

Skilled in field-based program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and surveillance system strengthening, including integration of reward-based detection strategies in conflict-affected and underserved areas. Adept at translating strategy into results through adaptive implementation, data-driven decision-making, and community-level action.

Committed to supporting the final stages of disease eradication—such as Guinea worm—through rigorous program oversight, responsive field operations, and sustained collaboration with country teams and donors. Known for fostering inclusive, high-performing teams, and delivering measurable health impact through pragmatic and equitable solutions.